• International Journal of Molecular Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.913-926
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• 2019

Leonurus sibiricus L. (LS) is a medicinal plant used in East Asia, Europe and the USA. LS is primarily used in the treatment of gynecological diseases, and recent studies have demonstrated that it exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. To the best of our knowledge, the present study demonstrated for the first time that LS may promote osteoblast differentiation and suppress osteoclast differentiation in vitro, and that it inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone loss in a mouse model. LS was observed to promote the osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and upregulate the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), a key gene involved in osteoblast differentiation. This resulted in the induction of the expression of various osteogenic genes, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteonectin (OSN), osteopontin (OPN), type I collagen (COL1) and bone sialoprotein (BSP). LS was also observed to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. The expression levels of nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1 (NFATc1) and c-Fos were inhibited following LS treatment. NFATc1 and c-Fos are key markers of osteoclast differentiation that inhibit receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. As a result, LS suppressed the expression of osteoclast-associated genes, such as matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), cathepsin K (Ctsk), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), osteoclast-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor (OSCAR), c-src, c-myc, osteoclast stimulatory transmembrane protein (OC-STAMP) and ATPase H+ transporting V0 subunit d2 (ATP6v0d2). Consistent with the in vitro results, LS inhibited the reduction in bone mineral density and the bone volume/total volume ratio in a mouse model of LPS-induced osteoporosis. These results suggest that LS may be a valuable agent for the treatment of osteoporosis and additional bone metabolic diseases.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.369-374
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• 2010

The PC12 is the widely used cell line to study neuronal differentiation. We had extensively investigated the details of protein expression in differentiated PC12 cells by proteomic analysis. The cells were incubated at the presence of nerve growth factor. We had analyzed the expression changes in the differentiating PC12 cells by 2-dimensional electrophoresis and the identification of the proteins using MALDI-TOF MS. By comparing expression pattern in the time course, we identified the candidate genes which are associated with neuronal differentiation. Among these genes, we performed real-time PCR analysis to validate $Idh3{\alpha}$ expression by the time course. To identify the function of $Idh3{\alpha}$ in neuronal differentiation stage, the transfection of $Idh3{\alpha}$ to PC12 cells was performed. As a result, we proved that up-regulation of $Idh3{\alpha}$ causes reduction in neural differentiation of PC12 cells. Based on these data, we suggest that $Idh3{\alpha}$ plays a role to the neuronal differentiation.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1998

One cervical cancer cell line, C9, carrying human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV18) genes that is one of the major etiologic concoviruses for cervical cancer was characterized. This cell line was further characterized for its capacity related to the epithelial cell proliferation, stratification and differentiation in reconstituted artificial epithelial tissue. The in vitro construction of three dimensional artificial cervical opithelial tissue has been engineered using C9 epithelial cancer cells, human foreskin fibroblasts and a matrix made of type I collagen by organotypic culture of epithelial cells. The morphology of paraffin embedded artificial tissue was examined by histochemical staining. The artificial epithelial tissues were well developed having multilayer. However, the tissue morphology was similar to the cervical tissus having displasia induced by HPV infection. The characteristics of the artificial tissues were examined by determinining the expression of specific marker proteins. In the C9 derived artificial tissues, the expression of EGF receptor, as epithelial proliferation marker proteins for stratum basale was observed up to the stratum spinosum. Another epithelial proliferation marker for stratum spinosum, cytokerations 5/6/18, were observed well over the stratum spinosum. For the differentiation markers, the expression of involucrin and filaggrin were observed while the terminal differentiation marker, cytokeratins 10/13 was not detected at all. Therefore the reconstituted artificial epithelial tissues expressed the same types of differentiation marker proteins that are expressed in normal human cervical epithelial tissues but lacked the final differentiation capacity representing characteristics of C9 cell line as a cancer tissue devived cell line. Expression of HPV18 E6 oncoprotein was also observed in this artifical cervical opithelial tissue though the intensity of the staining was weak. Thus this artificial epithelial tissue could be used as a useful model system to examine the relationship between HPV-induced cervical oncogenesis and epithelial cell differentiation.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.508-517
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• 2023

In cancer patients, chemo/radio therapy may cause infertility by damaging the spermatogenesis affecting the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). In vitro differentiation of stem cells especially mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into germ cells has recently been proposed as a new strategy for infertility treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proliferation and differentiation of SSCs using their co-culture with Sertoli cells and conditioned medium (CM) from adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs). Testicular tissues were separated from 2-7 days old neonate Wistar Rats and after mechanical and enzymatic digestion, the SSCs and Sertoli cells were isolated and cultured in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium with 10% fetal bovine serum, 1X antibiotic, basic fibroblast growth factor, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. The cells were treated with the CM from AD-MSCs for 12 days and then the expression level of differentiation-related genes were measured. Also, the expression level of two major spermatogenic markers of DAZL and DDX4 was calculated. Scp3, Dazl, and Prm1 were significantly increased after treatment compared to the control group, whereas no significant difference was observed in Stra8 expression. The immunocytochemistry images showed that DAZL and DDX4 were positive in experimental group comparing with control. Also, western blotting revealed that both DAZL and DDX4 had higher expression in the treated group than the control group, however, no significant difference was observed. In this study, we concluded that the CM obtained from AD-MSCs can be considered as a suitable biological material to induce the differentiation in SSCs.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.157-164
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• 2014

PURPOSE. This study focused on in vitro cell differentiation and surface characteristics in a magnesium coated titanium surface implanted on using a plasma ion source. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 40 commercially made pure titanium discs were prepared to produce Ti oxide machined surface (M) and Mg-incorporated Ti oxide machined surface (MM). Surface properties were analyzed using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). On each surface, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red S staining for mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells, and quantitative analysis of osteoblastic gene expression, were evaluated. Actin ring formation assay and gene expression analysis of TRAP and GAPDH performing RT-PCR were performed to characterize osteoclast differentiation on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). RESULTS. MM showed similar surface morphology and surface roughness with M, but was slightly smoother after ion implantation at the micron scale. M was more hydrophobic than MM. No significant difference between surfaces on ALP activity at 7 and 14 days were observed. Real-time PCR analyses showed similar levels of mRNA expression of the osteoblast phenotype genes; osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and collagen 1 (Col 1) in cell grown on MM at 7, 14 and 21 days. Alizarin red S staining at 21 days showed no significant difference. BMMs differentiation increased in M and MM. Actin ring formation assay and gene expression analysis of TRAP showed osteoclast differentiation to be more active on MM. CONCLUSION. Both M and MM have a good effect on osteoblastic cell differentiation, but MM may speed the bone remodeling process by activating on osteoclast differentiation.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.287-296
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• 2019

Avian sex determination system involves the male ZZ and female ZW chromosomes. However, very few studies are reported the expression, functional role and importance of genes on the W chromosome because of its small and highly heterochromatic genomic regions. Recent studies demonstrated that the W chromosome may have critical roles in physiology, sex determination and subsequent sexual differentiation in chickens. Therefore, gene annotation, including describing the expression and function of genes in the chicken W chromosome, is needed. In this study, we have searched the W chromosome of chickens and selected a total of 36 genes to evaluated their specific expression in the testis and ovary at various developmental stages such as embryonic day 6 (E6), hatch and adult. Interestingly, out of 36 genes in chicken W chromosome, we have found seven female-specific expression at E6.5 day, indicating that they are functionally related to female chicken gonadal differentiation. In addition, we have identified the stage specific gene expression from the sex specific genes. Furthermore, we analyzed the relative location of genes in the chicken W chromosome. Collectively, these results will contribute molecular insights into the sexual determination, differentiation and female development based on the W chromosome.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 2020

Purpose: Zinc is known to be associated with osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. Osterix as zinc-finger transcription factor is also related to osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether zinc modulates osterix gene and protein expression in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Methods: MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in zinc-dependent concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 5, or 15 µM Zn), along with osteogenic control (normal osteogenic medium) for 1 and 3 days. The gene and protein expression levels of osterix were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Results: Zinc increased osteoblast proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner at day 1 and 3. Similarly, zinc increased the activity of osteoblast marker enzyme alkaline phosphatase in cells and media in a zinc concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, our results showed that the pattern of osterix gene expression by zinc was down-regulated within the low levels of zinc treatments (0.5-1 µM) at day 1, but it was up-regulated after extended culture period at day 3. Osterix protein expression by zinc showed the similar pattern of gene expression, which down-regulated by low zinc levels at day 1 and up-regulated back at day 3 as the early stage of osteoblast differentiation. Conclusion: Our results suggest that zinc modulates osterix gene and protein expression in osteoblasts, particularly in low level of zinc at early stage of osteoblast differentiation period.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.447-455
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• 2012

Akt plays an important role in a variety of cellular physiologies such as growth, proliferation, and differentiation. In skeletal muscle, Akt has been implicated in regulating regeneration, hypertrophy, and atrophy. In this study, the role of Akt has been examined during skeletal muscle differentiation. Culturing C2C12 myoblasts under low serum (1% horse serum) and high density converted cell morphology from a round shape to an elongated and multi-nucleated shape. Morphological changes were initiated from day 2 of differentiation. In addition, the expression of both myogenin G and myogenin D was elevated from day 2 of differentiation. Skeletal muscle differentiation was abolished by silencing Akt1 or Akt2, but was significantly enhanced by the over-expression of either Akt1 or Akt2. The activation of Akt was observed from day 2 of differentiation and disappeared after day 7. The expression of kruppel-like factor 4 was observed from day 6 of differentiation. Moreover, this expression was blocked in cells silencing either Akt1 or Akt2. In addition, the promoter activity of kruppel-like factor 4 was significantly reduced in cells silencing Akt1 or Akt2. These results suggest that Akt regulates skeletal muscle differentiation through the regulation of kruppel-like factor 4 expression.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2001

The regulation of actin gene expression during the differentiation of Naegleria gruberi was examined. Actin mRNA concentration was maximal in amoebae and decreased rapidly after the initiation of differentiation. At 20 min after initiation, the concentration of actin mRNA decreased to 55% of the maximal value. The actin mRNA concentration decreased to the minimum at 80 min (15% of the maximum), and then began to increase slightly at the end of differentiation. This decrease of actin mRNA concentration was regulated by the repression of actin gene transcription based on nuclear run-on transcription experiments. The rates of transcription of actin gene in nuclei prepared at 40 and 80 min after the initiation of differentiation were 50 and 28% of that of nuclei prepared at the beginning of differentiation, respectively. The addition of cycloheximide at the initiation of differentiation inhibited both the rapid decrease in the concentration of actin mRNA and the repression of actin gene transcription. These results suggest that the rapid decrease in the concentration of actin mRNA during the differentiation of N. gruberi is accomplished by the repression of actin gene transcription and this transcriptional regulation requires continuous protein synthesis during the differentiation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2015.08a
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• pp.158-158
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• 2015

Myoblast are myogenic precursors that proliferate, activate, and differentiate on muscle injury to sustain the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle; The neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS, termed also NOS-I) is expressed in normal adult skeletal muscle, suggesting important functions for Nitric oxide (NO) in muscle biology1,2,3. However, the expression and subcellular localization of NO in muscle development and myoblast differentiation are largely unknown. In this study, we examined effects of the nitric oxide generated by a microwave plasma torch, on proliferation/differentiation of rat myoblastic L6 cells. Experimental data pertaining to nitric oxide production are presented in terms of the oxygen input in units of cubic centimetres per minute. The various levels of nitric oxide are observed depending on the flow rate of nitrogen gas, the ratio of oxygen gas, and the microwave power4. In order to evaluate the potential of nitric oxide as an activator of cell differentiation, we applied nitric oxide generated from the microwave plasma torch to L6 skeletal muscles. Differentiation of L6 cells into myotubes was significantly enhanced the differentiation after nitric oxide treatment. Nitric oxide treatment also increase the expression of myogenesis marker proteins and mRNA level, such as myogenin and myosin heavy chain (MHC), as well as cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), However during the myotube differentiation we found that NO activate oxidative stress signaling erks expression. Therefore, these results establish a role of NO and cGMP in regulating myoblast differentiation and elucidate their mechanism of action, providing a direct link with oxidative stress signalling, which is a key player in myogenesis. Based on these findings, nitric oxide generated by plasma can be used as a possible activator of cell differentiation and tissue regeneration.